Monday, February 15, 2010

Crafty Secrets DT Challenge...Adding Color

Good morning, everyone!  Hope you're all having a wonderful three-day weekend (here in the States, anyway!)

Last month at CHA, Sandy Redburn asked me to join the Crafty Secrets Design Team, which I'm very excited about!  Crafty Secrets--as you well know if you visit me much, is just my favorite company, and I've always loved using their products in my work.  And such a wonderful group of talented women to be able to work with!  I'm looking forward to all the up-coming challenges!

Well, here's this month's challenge...the fabulously talented Vicki Chrisman, our DT leader, has challenged us to ADD COLOR to our clear stamps in our projects.

I decided to focus on two of my favorite new stamp sets--"Mermaids" and "Message on a Bottle"...here's my first--


I love this sweet little mermaid!  I first layered a piece of white cardstock with various sea-colors of Glimmer Mist, covering it all with "Iridescent Gold".

 I colored the image with watercolor pencils--my favorite method.  I love the ability to blend and play with color with the pencils...


...added a bit of "Worn Lipstick" Distressed Stickles to her tail & rubbed it around with my finger--love getting my hands inky--makes me feel like I'm a happy little kindergartner again!

I framed the image with Martha Stewart's "White Gold" fine glitter--SOOOO sparkly!  Added some beautiful turquoise lace that reminds me of ocean waves, some ribbon, and real old vintage mother-of-pearl buttons...that's about it!

Here's my second project...


I just loved this wonderful vintage-style bottle stamp from the moment I saw it at CHA--so many things you can do with this! 

I love paper-piecing for color in my projects...can't tell you why I enjoy cutting out little things...I just do!  I think it makes the bottle look very rich & deep. 

I stamped the label on white cardstock, covered it with Gold Glimmer Mist, then sponged with Vintage Photo ink.  I used the tag stamp from the wonderful new "Price Tags" set, and took the "Your Heart's Desire" stamp from the "Lucky Wishes" stamp set.


Then, lots of gold glitter, some crystal rhinestones, lace & ribbon...that's it!

Please visit the other DT members blogs to see their wonderful projects--they're all so very talented and will inspire you with what they've done this month...

Vicki Chrisman

Pam Hooten

Heidi Blankenship

Marisa Grosson

Linda Duke

Michele Kovack

Melissa Phillips

Michelle Van Etten

Flo from France

That's it for today!  I'm off to enjoy my family being home with me...got some projects lined up & "The Lightning Thief" to see (very excited!)...

See you soon!

24 comments:

  1. Julie,
    Your crafty secrets projects are so pretty..love both of them :)

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  2. I adore the little mermaid and the way you painted her and did her tail, too cute. I would love that stamp myself.

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  3. I love color and this mermaid is so cute. I say in my profile information that I still like to color with a new box of crayons and it's true. I think that's why I like card making and rubber stamping so much. It's sort of like an adult way of coloring!

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  4. WOW ... Congrats on being added to this amazingly talented design team ... you are the perfect addition! I am so jealous! LOL!!!

    Your creations today are just adorable (as always) ... love how you did the mermaid creation ... the blue lace is perfect ... girl, you are SO creative!
    Enjoy your family ...

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  5. YAY! I can finally congratulate you publicly!

    We at The Play Date Cafe know just how valuable you will be for them!

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  6. congrats on Crafty Secrets! you are a perfect fit!

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  7. Hi Julie, welcome again!

    I love your cards, the bottle set is one of my faves too!

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  8. hello,dear Julia!-)***
    You bottel is SO beaytiful and really antique look,great work!!!
    And you new backgroung also an magic!-)*
    Many love and hugs,

    ***Violetta***

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  9. CONGRATS!!! I am so happy for you! Great job on this challenge! Your mermaid is wonderful and I love the colors you used for your paper pieced bottle. As always, will look forward to seeing more of your work. Again congrats and enjoy!!

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  10. Lovely cards! Congrats on the new DT!

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  11. Hi there...I have been looking at your work...such detailed little works of art! You are really good at this...I have no talent in this area at all but i sure do enjoy looking at your work! Come say hi when you can :D

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  12. Both of these are beautiful!!! I so want to see Lightning thief too!!! Let me know how it is!

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  13. Fantastic projects and even more fantastic news, Julie! Congratulations on making the design team! I'm so excited to see your future projects.

    I can't wait to see the Lightning Thief too!

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  14. Just beautiful! You are a really talented artist! Thanks so much for sharing these with us! Also, I don't know if I've mentioned this yet, but I just LOVE your blog template. It's really, really pretty!

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  15. Ooooh I love these!! Congratulations on being on the design team that is wonderful! No doubt, you will be an incredible asset to their team!!

    BTW, I watched the entire new BBC/Masterpiece Theatre version of Emma today. I remember you mentioning it in one of your recent posts. I loved it!!

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  16. Julie, Congratulations and Welcome again to the team! It was so nice to meet you at CHA! Both of your projects are Wonderful! I love the mermaid card and you did a beautiful job with your coloring. Love the lace too! I love your tag!

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  17. Gorgeous projects Julie! It's wonderful having you as part of our team!

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  18. Julie, once again you have dazzled me with your creativity!! I don't know how you do it each day! You are such a talented lady, but then I expect you already know that, and if you don't you should!!! I hope that you enjoyed your extra weekend time! I send love and hugs from across the sea to you my special friend!! xxoo

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  19. Yay, I was wondering if Sandy would "pop the question" at CHA - you'll be a fabulous addition to the team, Julie - congrats! Love your two samples here, the potion bottle looks very rich and mysterious and your sparkly mermaid is perfect!

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  20. OMG...I *LOVE* that mermaid set! Between your card and Linda Duke's I'm convinced!!

    Congrats on the DT spot - you so deserve it!!

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  21. Congratulations Julie on being on the CS DT!!!!! How awesome! You so deserve a spot on there!
    Your projects today are fantastic!!! That blue lace works so perfectly w/ your image! And that bottle is so cute! I have to get me one of those!!!!

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  22. Beautiful projects Julie! Lovin' that bottle!

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  23. You sure use your creativity well Julie!! Congrats on being on the CSDT!!
    Did you find that tutorial on the tattered roses okay? I didn't have any problem with it and am wondering how everyeone else who has tried it liked it.
    Hugs~

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  24. I changed your badge on my blog to a MERMAID!!!! SO PRETTY!!!!

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